'A nest of spies': McGowan doubles down on defence of Chinese tech contracts

Premier Mark McGowan has redoubled his defence of state government contracts with a controversial Chinese telecommunications company.

In Parliament on Thursday, he mocked the opposition for questioning the use of Huawei technology in the state's public transport system and accused them of throwing stones from inside a glass house.

The state government has hit back at the opposition after persistent questions in State Parliament over the use of controversial Chinese telco Huawei in WA public transport contracts.Credit:Nathan Hondros

Mr McGowan said ministers in the previous government had used Huawei mobile phones and had signed a telecommunications contract that permitted Telstra, Vodafone and Optus to supply Huawei handsets and wireless modems.

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He said former local government minister Paul Miles had used a Huawei handset and former Legislative Council President Barry House had used a Huawei wireless modem.

Vasse MP Libby Mettam was a staffer for Mr House.

"What was the member for Vasse doing while this was happening? Was she some sort of agent?" Mr McGowan said in Parliament.

"I will have to refer her to ASIO.

"It then turns out that in July, 2014, Mr Dean Nalder, the then Minister for Finance, met with the CEO of Huawei Australia to discuss strategic opportunities for the state government with Huawei.

"We have a nest of spies on the other side."

On Saturday, Mr McGowan's communications director Daniel Pastorelli tweeted that using commercially available products was no different from using other brands.

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"Huawei is one of the largest providers of wireless technology in Australia," he said.